I was lucky to attend two Elvis Presley concerts in 1976 and in 77. James Burton played Johnny B Good with the guitar behind his head at both concerts Elvis had in Madison Wisconsin
Burton came into a car dealership to buy his wife a new car in Shreveport, La. We sat in my office and talked about Elvis. I will never forget !! A very nice, gracious man. One of the highlights of my life !!
Met James Burton when he was playing with Ricky Nelson, at the Huntsville Prison Rodeo back in late 50’s or early 60’s. That was when I found out he was from Shreveport, La., and so was I. He was very nice to this young teenager.
FenderGittarist, thanks very much for sharing this interview with James Burton. He is truly a great guitar virtuoso that we baby boomers need to thank for all that wonderful music and talent!
Beautiful... oh Elvis... the world still needed you so much 😣 The ending is heartbreaking. James, old, sitting watching the sky playing love me tender and saying he miss Elvis even today and his music... James, we miss him too!
James Burton... obviously one of the greats. R.I.P. Elvis, Scotty Moore, Bill Black & D.J. Fontana. God bless our musical heroes from a bygone era.🎸 THANKS FOR POSTING THIS VIDEO.
Emoziona questo video. James Burton grande chitarrista, musicista fondamentale nella band di Elvis. Tra loro pare ci fosse un grande e sincero rispetto professionale e stima personale. Elvis lo ha sempre dimostrato citandolo con ammirazione e forza ogni volta sul palco ....e Burton anche a distanza di anni ricorda Elvis con profondo affetto. 😢 🎸⚡ personaggi storici
Burton shows class, unlike the moochers that hung around him constantly & bad mouthed Elvis after his death. The same goes for Ann-Margret. She never revealed the secrets between them & never spoke badly about him. These 2 showed they truly loved him.
. .because they were each truly loved by Elvis and each gave their love to him in return. .it’s amazing how powerful the depth of ones love can be, it can carry on thru lifetimes-
James still is one of the most TASTEFUL players anywhere...he never smothers a song in an avalanche of notes and riffs just for the sake of overplaying...
To be fair, we should not forget E.P's original guitarist for 14 years, Scotty Moore, who played on all his big hit records from 1954 to 1969. -------When E.P. signed up to do the Vegas shows and then start touring again in 1969, he called Scotty and asked him to lead the band in Vegas----Scotty said thanks, but no thanks----he said he was settled down and did not want to go on the road again. -----Scotty suggested to E.P. that he contact Ricky Nelson's long-time guitarist, James Burton----and there you have it!
Quite true, Elvis first guitarist Scotty Moore was a true legend. Unlike the general opinion, Scotty didn´t only play with Elvis in the 50´s and on the 68 comeback special. There was hardly any recording session (studio and soundtrack albums in the 1960´s, right up to 1968, where Scotty didn´t play guitar for Elvis. He was part of his regular band along with bobby moore on bass, dj fontana on drums and floyd cramer on piano. I find it unfortunate that he didn´t want to play with elvis again from 1969 onwards, but James Burton did a great job as well. Lets not forget Hank Garland, also playing with Elvis in 1958 and the early 60´s. Last but not least there is Reggie Young, playing with Elvis on his famous Memphis recording sessions in January and February 1969.
yes, and James and some others of the musicians and singers called Elvis "Squirly" because Elvis was so dynamic on stage..;i had last yar the opportunity to speak a few words with james after a concert in Switzerland and he was full of respect and admiration for Elvis..;i think it was mutual.
Lisa Anthony How wonderful to be able to speak to him even if it was only for a short time, I really admire James I think he had real respect and love for Elvis and he is, in my opinion, one of the best guitarists in the world.
Many are not aware of this, but James played for a little while with the Wrecking Crew in Los Angeles and I was very disappointed that they did not shoot some video of him for that documentary. He was good friends with Glen Campbell, and other legendary musicians in the band.
He's 80 yrs old now man time flies so fast it's amazing that the members of the band and all the Memphis Mafia guys lived to be old men and lived normal lives after Elvis passed away
this is the man who just sidled up to me as I was playing some blues piano at a theatre rehearsal in England....set his amp up ,plugged the paisley guitar in and jammed with me for a good 10 minutes!
I just loved his style of playing. I heard he started playing at a very young age and was just a young boy playing in local bands. A great guy and musician. PEACE...
I sincerely hope that all of James fans and friends are Praying for his son Jeff. Please, Pray for him. Jeff is fighting a battle that only GOD know's the out come. My thoughts and Prayers are with Jeff and his family. I hope yours are.
I don't watch the interviews of the Memphis Mafia. I once tried for a few minutes and was horrified and very sad for Elvis I stopped! They were just very jealous of this so beautiful and talented man...i so agree with you.
In my opinion, James Burton achieved immortality when he recorded with Merle Haggard. Variations on his "Working Man Blues" lick can still be heard today in country & rock.
What an incredible band that was! That "Elvis live" CD that came out a while ago was a great compilation, and has some jaw-dropping tight playing. And Elvis made the most of it for a while. Check "Rosetta West - Nightmare Blues," for some good raw blues, btw
I just went to James Burton's 75th birthday bash at the James Burton International Guitar Festival a couple of months ago, in Shreveport. I had front row seats, but when James came out, old folks rushed the stage, so I only have about 40 seconds of video of him playing there. I wasnt expecting that! I have a young friend, Matthew Davidson, who played for the celebration, before James came on stage. James gave Matthew his first electric guitar in 2007, when Matthew was 9 years old. Matthew put it to good use. Check out 41 seconds of James, and hours of Matthew, on my channel.
You'll find that people who worked WITH Elvis, as an artist, have nothing but good things to say about him. Most of the bad stuff comes from people who were either sacked and had to start actually working for a living, or are down on him for dying, because that meant they had to start working for a living... or just keep living off him, like the leeches they are.
It's like you read my mind! I agree about these LEECHES and traitors like the garbage book they wrote after they were fired! I won't name the book out of respect to the KING!
Я читала,что эту книгу написали два его школьных друзей,которые работали у Элвиса охранниками, он их уволил и через год вышла их книга про Элвиса, и Элвис очень переживал,что дочь прочитает,и на другой день он умер,а книга стала бестселлером.Я думаю,что там много лжи,даже не смотря на книгу,люди,поклонники уже почти 46 лет помнят,любят,подражают Элвису.А предателями и их семье думаю, нормальные люди не общались....
I've known James and his son Jeff for most of my life. Claude King, the country singer, Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley are all cousins of mine. I've lived in Shreveport my whole life.
james burton is a legendary guitar player among guitar players. he used a flat pick and one finger pick, a set-up unique to him as far as I know. a fantastic talent.
I believe. JamesBurton. Liked Elvis. He thought he was very. Funny in the early60sa. A early 70s. And really he played good for Elvis. He really. Made the band sound good I believed Elvis really loved his band and he thought of everyone he worked w as family a. He did what he could do to make everyone feel Apprecated a loved because that's what Elvis was Love. A true fan of Elvis. Sandra Miller. 2015
I could listen to James pick that Telecaster all day. It has such a good tone and ring to it, and his picking style is very rhythmic - he can play lead with a beat even if you have no drums or bass.
Burton and Ronnie Tutt both . .Elvis said how Tutts drumming could accentuate his lyrics with intonations on keynotes- it was magical how Elvis described it in his own words
I was lucky to attend two Elvis Presley concerts in 1976 and in 77. James Burton played Johnny B Good with the guitar behind his head at both concerts Elvis had in Madison Wisconsin
Burton came into a car dealership to buy his wife a new car in Shreveport, La. We sat in my office and talked about Elvis. I will never forget !! A very nice, gracious man. One of the highlights of my life !!
loved him with Ricky Nelson too
I recognized Jim Burton as Elvis's guitarist when I saw him playing with Ricky Nelson. I didn't realize he was with Ricky first.
Loved watching him smile on the background. Seemed like a fun and pleasant man.
Such a heart warming story! I have always loved James' guitar playing, he is a genius!
James Burton was one of the greatest guitarists next to Scotty Moore. He did some tremendous guitar work when backing Ricky Nelson.
I think James Burton is actually even more skilled than Scotty Moore.
Met James Burton when he was playing with Ricky Nelson, at the Huntsville Prison Rodeo back in late 50’s or early 60’s. That was when I found out he was from Shreveport, La., and so was I. He was very nice to this young teenager.
FenderGittarist, thanks very much for sharing this interview with James Burton. He is truly a great guitar virtuoso that we baby boomers need to thank for all that wonderful music and talent!
Beautiful... oh Elvis... the world still needed you so much 😣
The ending is heartbreaking. James, old, sitting watching the sky playing love me tender and saying he miss Elvis even today and his music... James, we miss him too!
Thanks for the post; wonderful.
James Burton... obviously one of the greats. R.I.P. Elvis, Scotty Moore, Bill Black & D.J. Fontana.
God bless our musical heroes from a bygone era.🎸
THANKS FOR POSTING THIS VIDEO.
One of the greatest guitarists ever.
That was so beautiful playing Love Me Tender...always have enjoyed James.
Such a heart warmimg story.
James Burton. You are the sound of my youth till today! I’m already crossed 70.
As Elvis would say, "Play it, James!"
Didn’t we all wait for EP to say that. Hail, hail the great James Burton.
Emoziona questo video. James Burton grande chitarrista, musicista fondamentale nella band di Elvis. Tra loro pare ci fosse un grande e sincero rispetto professionale e stima personale. Elvis lo ha sempre dimostrato citandolo con ammirazione e forza ogni volta sul palco ....e Burton anche a distanza di anni ricorda Elvis con profondo affetto. 😢 🎸⚡ personaggi storici
James you're the greatest, and how lucky were you, playing with Elvis AND Ricky!!!
Sad they're no longer with us, but we can still love their music.
Enough good cannot be said about James burton, he is a national treasure !!
Burton shows class, unlike the moochers that hung around him constantly & bad mouthed Elvis after his death. The same goes for Ann-Margret. She never revealed the secrets between them & never spoke badly about him. These 2 showed they truly loved him.
+Alicia Noda This is true.same goes with the late Ed Parker who loved Elvis.
From what I have noticed, all Elvis' band members have nothing but good things to say about him.
Play It James!!!!!
. .because they were each truly loved by Elvis and each gave their love to him in return. .it’s amazing how powerful the depth of ones love can be, it can carry on thru lifetimes-
Ricky was so humble, just a genuine good guy! Loved him so much!
"Play it James,"thank u for sharing god bless ❤👑💯 🙏 amen,god bless u ❤Elvis ⚡ TCBTLC ⚡ 🇺🇸🇵🇷🎸🎤🎶👍👏⭐💎
Elvis was the King of rock n roll and James the King of the guitar. Play it James.
Elvis trusted James Burton to make his band tight.
@Oona Craig No he wasn't.
One of the world"s best ever guitar players,a great talent.
James Burton is one of the best guitarist. And he has played for some of the best.
He was a major inspiration to me.
Wasn’t he part of the Wrecking Crew
James my favorite guitarist and also Scotty Moore.
James still is one of the most TASTEFUL players anywhere...he never smothers a song in an avalanche of notes and riffs just for the sake of overplaying...
So true.
I loved it when Elvis said 'Play It James'. I know he played with many singers but being with with Elvis made him well known
To be fair, we should not forget E.P's original guitarist for 14 years, Scotty Moore, who played on all his big hit records from 1954 to 1969. -------When E.P. signed up to do the Vegas shows and then start touring again in 1969, he called Scotty and asked him to lead the band in Vegas----Scotty said thanks, but no thanks----he said he was settled down and did not want to go on the road again. -----Scotty suggested to E.P. that he contact Ricky Nelson's long-time guitarist, James Burton----and there you have it!
Las Vegas was the beginning of the end for Presley and his crazy lifestyle.
And also the great Hank Garland (Sugarfoot) who joined Elvis after Scotty!
Quite true, Elvis first guitarist Scotty Moore was a true legend. Unlike the general opinion, Scotty didn´t only play with Elvis in the 50´s and on the 68 comeback special. There was hardly any recording session (studio and soundtrack albums in the 1960´s, right up to 1968, where Scotty didn´t play guitar for Elvis. He was part of his regular band along with bobby moore on bass, dj fontana on drums and floyd cramer on piano. I find it unfortunate that he didn´t want to play with elvis again from 1969 onwards, but James Burton did a great job as well.
Lets not forget Hank Garland, also playing with Elvis in 1958 and the early 60´s. Last but not least there is Reggie Young, playing with Elvis on his famous Memphis recording sessions in January and February 1969.
V-G-Zone
Reggie would’ve been a great option for Elvis in Vegas. Reggie loved going on the road with Waylon.
He`s just as nice a person as he looks and plays :)
Love you James! Hometown boy!! Shreveport, Louisiana!
Great player, and a fantastic guitar tone !!🐶🐶
James Burton loved to work with Elvis.. They appreciated each other.
They seemed to admire and respect each other as people and artists:-)
yes, and James and some others of the musicians and singers called Elvis "Squirly" because Elvis was so dynamic on stage..;i had last yar the opportunity to speak a few words with james after a concert in Switzerland and he was full of respect and admiration for Elvis..;i think it was mutual.
Lisa Anthony How wonderful to be able to speak to him even if it was only for a short time, I really admire James I think he had real respect and love for Elvis and he is, in my opinion, one of the best guitarists in the world.
Oh yes he is..;he is very kind..;they joked together and understood together very well..;he is a fantastic musician...
Lisa Anthony Absolutely awesome Lisa I bet you were so happy to have met him a great moment and memory:-))
Many are not aware of this, but James played for a little while with the Wrecking Crew in Los Angeles and I was very disappointed that they did not shoot some video of him for that documentary. He was good friends with Glen Campbell, and other legendary musicians in the band.
Mr Burton n I share the same birthday his in 39 mine in 56 ROCK ON MAN YR THE BEST
He's 80 yrs old now man time flies so fast it's amazing that the members of the band and all the Memphis Mafia guys lived to be old men and lived normal lives after Elvis passed away
this is the man who just sidled up to me as I was playing some blues piano at a theatre rehearsal in England....set his amp up ,plugged the paisley guitar in and jammed with me for a good 10 minutes!
I just loved his style of playing. I heard he started playing at a very young age and was just a young boy playing in local bands. A great guy and musician. PEACE...
He was in 2 of most handsome & greatest singers! rick Nelson my 1st crush at 2-3! Even then, I could not stop watching!
HAPPY 8 O T H BIRTHDAY!!!!
James Burton🎸
August 21, 2019
The best, James Burton.
Thank you.
James Burton, you're awesome!!!
I sincerely hope that all of James fans and friends are Praying for his son Jeff. Please, Pray for him. Jeff is fighting a battle that only GOD know's the out come. My thoughts and Prayers are with Jeff and his family. I hope yours are.
Beautiful and true words for Elvis
JAMES BURTON enough said!!!!
Elvis and James Burton appreciated each other.
Grande James Burton
I don't watch the interviews of the Memphis Mafia. I once tried for a few minutes and was horrified and very sad for Elvis I stopped! They were just very jealous of this so beautiful and talented man...i so agree with you.
Sorry Fred.Gloria did not post this video. I did. I found it on internet. Just to say.
It's Christmas! i forgive you,Fred! lol. Lol. Merry Christmas!
James Burton great great great.He loved Elvis and Elvis loved James.So amazing.
Burton is a legend.
" Play it James "🎸 R.I.P. Big E and all the TCB family....🎶
The guitar best:James Burton..for ever togheter..🤜🤛
Thank you James burton
Love James burton ❤
He most definitely has a special place amongst the guitar greats. And he's a good ol' Louisiana boy!
In my opinion, James Burton achieved immortality when he recorded with Merle Haggard. Variations on his "Working Man Blues" lick can still be heard today in country & rock.
James, you've outlived Ricky, Elvis, Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins & John Denver! Probably more in that list....
May you outlive at least 150 more!
And Dale Hawkins, with whom James initially go started.
6 String Fan that was kinda wield !!! Lol
What an incredible band that was! That "Elvis live" CD that came out a while ago was a great compilation, and has some jaw-dropping tight playing. And Elvis made the most of it for a while.
Check "Rosetta West - Nightmare Blues," for some good raw blues, btw
I just went to James Burton's 75th birthday bash at the James Burton International Guitar Festival a couple of months ago, in Shreveport. I had front row seats, but when James came out, old folks rushed the stage, so I only have about 40 seconds of video of him playing there. I wasnt expecting that! I have a young friend, Matthew Davidson, who played for the celebration, before James came on stage. James gave Matthew his first electric guitar in 2007, when Matthew was 9 years old. Matthew put it to good use. Check out 41 seconds of James, and hours of Matthew, on my channel.
Yes their music will live for ever.
a legend ..mr james burton
Great guitarist who played some of the most soul stirring riffs on ricky Nelson songs
Elvis only picked the best and he knew who to pick to be the best TCB
Thank you James.
Aww Play it James I loved hearing this guy pick and jam
Sir James was knighted by King Elvis with his induction into The Memphis Mafis with his tcb emblem; only TMM soldiers have them.
James is one of the most accurate, consistent, and best guitar motif writer ever. James invented how to play a telecaster.
appears to be a fine down to earth friendly person on top of being a great guitarist !!
When I was a kid...I watched Ozzie and Harriet...Just ot see James play behind Ricky..Yep,,He is one of my guitar heroes.....Yo!
James is still the Man.
I never noticed anyone on stage but Elvis
You'll find that people who worked WITH Elvis, as an artist, have nothing but good things to say about him.
Most of the bad stuff comes from people who were either sacked and had to start actually working for a living, or are down on him for dying, because that meant they had to start working for a living... or just keep living off him, like the leeches they are.
It's like you read my mind! I agree about these LEECHES and traitors like the garbage book they wrote after they were fired! I won't name the book out of respect to the KING!
Very well put.
Я читала,что эту книгу написали два его школьных друзей,которые работали у Элвиса охранниками, он их уволил и через год вышла их книга про Элвиса, и Элвис очень переживал,что дочь прочитает,и на другой день он умер,а книга стала бестселлером.Я думаю,что там много лжи,даже не смотря на книгу,люди,поклонники уже почти 46 лет помнят,любят,подражают Элвису.А предателями и их семье думаю, нормальные люди не общались....
Man the sound from that Telecaster and his pickin style, I could listen to that all day.
I didn't know James Burton was a resident of Shrevport; I'm so proud.
I've known James and his son Jeff for most of my life. Claude King, the country singer, Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley are all cousins of mine. I've lived in Shreveport my whole life.
james burton is a legendary guitar player among guitar players. he used a flat pick and one finger pick, a set-up unique to him as far as I know. a fantastic talent.
I use a flat pick, one finger, and 4 thumbs. lol
I loved how he brought a song alive
Elvis the king forever
Yes, you are the main man James Burton. I love watching you play as my ex did for me, now gone as well.
.......The TV host on this video looked just like Peggy Bundy from Married With Children. LOL !!
ExclusiveLM
Excellent musician.
@ronnied828
Mr Burton you’re a real gentleman,
Thanks for looking out for the King.
Hi James, from Cindy, Elvis and me had the same 5th grandpa,my grandmother was a Wesson
I believe. JamesBurton. Liked Elvis. He thought he was very. Funny in the early60sa. A early 70s. And really he played good for Elvis. He really. Made the band sound good I believed Elvis really loved his band and he thought of everyone he worked w as family a. He did what he could do to make everyone feel Apprecated a loved because that's what Elvis was Love. A true fan of Elvis. Sandra Miller. 2015
James Burton tore 'The Boss' a new one, and they had a blast playing each other.
James is the Man!!
Very nice man.
James Burton vc é um dos melhores profissionais que existe sempre fiel e muito profissional no que faz e fez parabéns
Elvis and James were awesome together.
The greatest
I could listen to James pick that Telecaster all day. It has such a good tone and ring to it, and his picking style is very rhythmic - he can play lead with a beat even if you have no drums or bass.
The best so far!!!!!!
I love James we have a few things in common starting where we live. Fontana did to.
ELVIS PRESLEY 🎶💕👏🤗
Keep Playing it James !!!!
Jim is one of the guitar greats. Case closed!
❤❤
Great guy.
2:23 actually, "the boss" grew up to duel six stings with James Burton.
yeah, and we know that James won that duel handily
N got his ass whipped
James you were the t.bone behind the big man...
Burton and Ronnie Tutt both . .Elvis said how Tutts drumming could accentuate his lyrics with intonations on keynotes- it was magical how Elvis described it in his own words
Legendary!!!!!!!
my man!
James first appearance was on the 1957 classic " Susie Q " by Dale Hawkins.